Parliament Hill skating rink to be melted to provide drinking water for First Nations: feds

Days after it was criticized for its $5.6-million price tag, the Liberal government has announced that a skating rink on Parliament Hill will be melted and the water shipped to First Nations communities.

“This just makes sense, given the dozens of First Nations that have struggled with water problems, sometimes for decades,” said Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott.

“With this plan, the Trudeau government is turning reconciliation into reconcili-ACTION.”

Built as part of Canada 150 celebrations, the NHL-sized rink was supposed to operate until February. However, the process of melting it and collecting the water will begin immediately, a spokesperson said in an email.